Al Leiter sat by and watched the Mets lose a pair of nail-biters to the Braves in the first two games of the NLCS. Tonight, he gets something to do about it. Yesterday, he had something to say about it.

“We know we can beat this team,” said Leiter, who starts Game 3 tonight at Shea against Tom Glavine.

“[The close (4-2, 4-3) scores] definitely make a difference. I read in The Post today – I think it was [Wallace] Matthews – that close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades. That’s a cute headline, but it is different than going out there and getting your head beat in.”

The pressure situation is nothing new for Leiter. He two-hit the Reds in the NL play-in game and has started a Game 7 of a World Series.

“I don’t welcome the spotlight and of course, I would rather be up 2-0 than down,” Leiter said during yesterday’s workout at Shea. “But I do like having that kind of responsibility.”

One prime example of how Leiter, unlike some other pitchers, never backs away from tough situations came in 1997, when he was with the Marlins, who were on their way to winning the World Series.

Florida’s Kevin Brown started Game 6 with the chance to end the series, but Cleveland’s Chad Ogea outdid him and the Indians forced a deciding game.

“I wanted to win it then, but a little part of me hoped we would lose so that I would have a chance,” Leiter said. “It’s every kid’s dream, to go out there and pitch a Game 7. Thankfully, it turned out all right.”

Leiter helped the Marlins defeat Cleveland and win the World Series. That kind of game has been advantageous to Leiter during this season and will be one again tonight.

It also helps that Leiter beat the Braves on Sept. 29, 9-2, to snap the Mets’ seven-game losing streak. His teammates and manager are very happy to have their proven winner on the mound with almost no room to maneuver.

“Al’s done it so many times,” catcher Mike Piazza said. “If anyone can get us out of this hole, it’s him. We all know that he can do that.”

“When you have ability and you’re pitching an important game, that ability comes out,” Bobby Valentine said. “Al is a really talented guy. He also wants it.”

Still, the Braves have won 11 of 14 games between the two clubs combined in the regular and postseason. At some point, no matter how little the difference is, that kind of record has an effect.

“Absolutely it does,” Leiter said. “We can talk about almost beating them, but no one cares about that. The fans don’t want to read about us almost winning. They just want to see us win.”

Leiter has grown accustomed to these situations. And he doesn’t think anything will be different against Atlanta.

“I try not to think about the big picture when I’m out there,” Leiter said. “No matter who I’m going against, I just think about the batter and what pitch I need to throw. If I start thinking about more than that, I’ll get into trouble against major league hitters.”